Five Questions for Kim Neaton

Kim Neaton: Music director at WEQX, an independent radio station based out of Manchester, Vt.

1 How did you come to be music director at EQX?

I interned at EQX my last semester in college and realized there was no place else I’d rather be. I just stuck around after the internship was over, volunteering to help out at shows and big events whenever possible. A couple years later I was hired to do part time office work, then I took over the Dead Zone, then the local show. A year ago the then-program director, Amber, moved away, Jeff moved into that position and he trusted my experience and strong passion for the music and the station enough to give me the position. Truly a dream job for me!

2 What’s one thing most people don’t know about the radio industry?

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One thing I’ve learned from meeting people that work for other stations and record companies around the country – nationwide there’s only a very small handful of stations that operate the way EQX does. Being independent is a huge rarity these days, I’ve realized I’m screwed as far as being this happy if I ever wanted to move and work anywhere else. While there’s a lot of great people and stations in the business, it’s hard to find a place with as much freedom and pure passion for the music as we have here.

3 What’s your all time favorite concert you’ve ever attended?

There’s been so many amazing shows, festivals and memories. But one that was truly life changing was the first time I saw my favorite band of all time, the Beastie Boys, play Madison Square Gardens in my senior year of high school. That was the moment I realized how special and powerful live music can be. I was amazed at all the people brought together, all of them so happy, together singing every word of those songs I loved. It felt great. I thought, “There are people that make these events happen and bring all of these people together for the music and this experience, I want to be one of those people”.

4 As of right now, what’s your favorite song to spin on EQX?

Unfair question, there’s so many songs I’m stoked about right now that we get to share with people! Really though, I’m so excited about how the station is sounding lately. But, Benjamin Booker “Violent Shiver” is definitely up there. Pure, raw, rock n roll.

5 What do you like most about what you do?

I love it all. But my favorite thing is when we find a song we love from a new band, decide to put it on the air and it sounds great. Then the listeners fall in love with it too, and so we then get the band to play a show in the area. The people come out, the room is packed and the band, fans and venue all have a great night. To me, it’s not about just finding a hit song, it’s about finding a great band, then building and maintaining relationships with the bands, venues and fans of the music. That’s what it’s all about for me, bringing good music to good people that want to hear it. Also I’m very proud of our local music scene, so whenever we get to put a local band on a show opening up for a national act and get them in front of a large audience that may not otherwise be aware of them, that feels great.